‘Child-proof’ vehicles for precious cargo

Probably everyone can cite a close call they've had on the road
with very young passengers in their vehicles.

Tragically, they're not all close calls.

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety
Administration, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of
death for children up to 14.

In the U.S. in 2006, an average of three to four children were
killed each day and more than 500 were injured as occupants in
motor vehicle crashes.

So how can parents, grandparents and those with child care
responsibilities "child-proof" their cars to make them safer?

The AAA has this advice:

• Secure loose items. Purses, briefcases, laptops, CDs and
umbrellas can become flying projectiles during a sudden stop or
crash. A 10-pound laptop can have 300 pounds of force in a 30 mph
crash.

• Use child locks. Be sure to engage child safety locks on the
vehicle doors to keep children from opening the doors while the
vehicle is in motion or at a stop.

• Use correct child safety restraints. Always use the safety
restraint system appropriate for the child's height, weight and
age: Rear-facing safety seats for 1-year-olds and 20 pounds;
forward-facing safety seats for children 1 to 4 and 20 to 40
pounds; a booster seat for children 4 to 8, over 40 pounds and
under 4 feet, 9 inches in height; and lap and shoulder belts at
about age 8 or at least 4 feet, 9 inches tall. For information on
proper seat selection, visit www.aaa.com/carseat.

• Install child safety seats correctly. "It is estimated that
more than 80 percent of car seats are improperly installed," said
Michele Mount, director of public affairs for the Florham
Park-based AAA Club and chairwoman of the National Child Passenger
Safety Board (NCPSB). "It's always best to have the seat checked by
a certified technician."

The New Jersey Automobile Club has several certified technicians
on staff and offers free child safety seat checks. For information
on child safety seat checks, call (973) 245-4861.

• Position child safety seats away from airbags. Children should
be positioned as far away as possible from front and side-impact
airbags.

• Entertain with soft toys in the vehicle, as hard toys can
become dangerous projectiles in the event of a sudden stop or
crash.

• Secure unused child restraints. Booster and car seats should
be buckled up even when they are not in use, so they won't become
airborne during a sudden stop or crash.

• Avoid add-on mirrors, window shades, harness covers or extra
padding. These accessories may cause injury to children and other
occupants during a crash.

•Keep doors, trunks and hatchbacks of vehicles locked, and the
keys out of the reach of children when the vehicle is parked, to
eliminate the risk of children climbing into the vehicle.

• One of the best ways to "child-proof" a vehicle is to always
have adult supervision in and around vehicles. Children should
never be left unattended in a vehicle - with or without the engine
running.

After the vehicle is "child-proofed," take one last step to be
sure little ones can be taken care in the event of a crash when an
adult cannot speak on their behalf.

Look into the "We Have A Little Emergency" (WHALE) program, run
by the New Jersey Police Chiefs Association and the Kiwanis Clubs
of New Jersey.

The program consists of an information label that is attached to
the back of the car seat. It provides the child's name, date of
birth, medical history and who to contact in case of emergency.

Two WHALE car seat stickers are attached to the sides of the
seat and two WHALE vehicle stickers are attached to the rear
windows of the vehicle to alert emergency personnel that the
occupants participate in the program. For information, e-mail
kiwanis006@aol.com.

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